The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has accused the
Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, Dr Lateef
Olatunji, of bringing untoward hardship upon the students of the
institution by increasing tuition and introducing some ‘illegal’ fees.
According to NANS, the tuition used to be N15,000 for returning
students and N18,000 for freshers.
It, however, said the Rector, within a space of two years and few
months, had increased the school fees on two occasions; saying the fee
is now N33,150.
The students’ body also alleged that Dr Olatunji had imposed some
needless fees on the students; adding that the Dean of Students
Affairs, “Dr Gbenga Aleminu is the key player in the ordeals facing
Offa Poly students.”
According to NANS, the needless fees include; “Game and sports fee –
N3,000, T-ship fee – N2,000, Medical exam – N1,000, Medical service –
N1,000, EDSVC – N2,500, Prospectus – N1,000, Internet connectivity –
N3,000.”
In a statement signed by NANS National Public Relations Officer, Azeez
Adeyemi, and made available to Daily Post in Abeokuta, Wednesday, the
students leaders demanded the removal of the polytechnic’s Director of
Students Affairs, Dr Aleminu, for peace to reign.
Adeyemi also called for the scrapping of the purported needless fees;
failure of which he said would attract a well coordinated protest that
would shut down the institution.
The statement reads: “The national body of the apex students’ body has
earlier received complaint letters from students of the Federal
Polytechnic, Offa over incessant increment in their tuition fee by the
current administration led by Dr Lateef Olatunji.We decided to be calm
as we expected that their complaints would be attended to, since we
learnt that the management knew all that is not well with the school
hence, we expected a fatherly approach.
As a federal school, we learnt that the tuition fee was put at N15,000
for stallites and N18,000 for freshers, but when the Rector assumed
office, within the space of two years and few months he had increased
the students tuition fees on two occasions and presently pegged it at
N33,150.
“Our students have also complained of paying some needless fees which
shouldn’t be pressed against students in any sane clime.
“The fee include; Game and sports fee – N3,000, T-ship fee – N2,000,
Medical exam – N1,000, Medical service – 1,000, EDSVC – N2,500,
Prospectus – N1,000, Internet connectivity – N3,000 to mention but
few.
“We have however gathered that the Dean of Students Affairs, Dr Gbenga
Aleminu, is the key player in the ordeals facing our students.
“We hereby demand that the Director of Students Affairs, Dr Gbenga
Aleminu be removed immediately for peace to reign.
“We also demand that the needless fees such as the ones mentioned
above be scrapped.
“Failure of the school management to adhere to our demand will attract
a well-coordinated protest in the school as well as shutting down of
the institution.”
Efforts to speak with the polytechnic’s Director of Information,
Public Relations and Protocol, Mr Olayinka Iroye, were unsuccessful as
he did not answer calls to his phone, neither did he reply a message
sent to him hours before filing this report.